Fingerprint game



Jan. 14, 1941.

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ou THE LEFT umo.

INVENTOR. ERNST PEICHERT ATTORNEYS Jan. 14, 1941.

E. REICHERT FINGERPRINT GAME Filed Sept. 2, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 THUMB INDEX MIDDLE RING LITTLE THUMB INDE$ MIDDLE RING LITTLE 00 54 6 fi Pg. 2- i 9 Q w 1H. 52 58 iEl-l. I Rl-L n THUMB INDEX MIDDLE RING L TTLE THE MINE LIDEALIzEo) PATTERN TYPES THE. NmEQuEAuzEn) PATTERN "HPES:

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INVENTOR. ERA/ST REIGHEET ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 14, 1941 FINGERPRINT GAME Ernst Reichert, Bronx, N. Y. 1

' Application September 2, 1939, Serial No. 293,197

, 1 Claim. The'present invention relates to a game and refers more particularly to a. finger print game having two separate'decks of cards provided with suitable indicia and configurations for the proper 5 playing of the same.

Heretofore the subject of fingerprints has been often viewed with repugnance, prejudice, and disinterested detachment among the greater portion of the people. The idea generally of fingerprints and fingerprinting has been associated in the public mind with a criminal element and lossof liberty, and a constructive, social, broad, humaninterest in this vitally important science has been lacking. p

Also, heretofore it has been difiicult for ny one interested in obtaining precise knowle ge of the science of criminal detection or civil identification through the medium of fingerprints, to procure the same without laborious individual research and study.

It is, therefore, among the objects of the present invention to provide inexpensive, easily accessible means whereby a knowledge of the fundamentals of the science, of fingerprints may be obtained and their significances in identifications,

law enforcement and genetics.

Another object is to provide a game whereby the vital functions of fingerprint terminology and identification may be quickly and easily obtained through the medium of mentally stimulating competitive play. l Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which is shown by way of example one embodiment of theinventive idea.

In the' drawings-- Figure 1 is a plan view of a plurality of playing 40 cards for the left hand;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a plurality of playing cards for the right hand; and

Figures 3 to 15 inclusive are perspective views of the drawing cards used in conjunction with the playing cards previously mentioned. In accomplishing the objects herinbefore set forth, it has been found desirable to provide twelve playing cards as shown in Figures 1 and 2, consisting of two groups, each group having six ,-cards and bearing in their upper corners thereon (Cl. 273152) v the indicia L. 1-1., and R. H., signifying left hand and right hand,- respectively. The number of cards in these groups, however, may be varied considerably according to the number oi. players and the extent of the game. 5 The playing cards indicated above are preferably rectangular in shape and may be made of vany suitable material, such as cardboard, glazed paper, Celluloid, wood, metal or thin plastic material, such as synthetic resin, cellulose acetate, 10 phenol formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde resins, molded casein etc. The cards may be either transparent or opaque.

On each of the above cards there may be indicated the outline of a handwith the palm 15 turned upward, the hand being left or right as the case may be. The outline may also be of just the fingers or a portion of the'fingers. 'Each of the tips or bulbs of a finger is provided with a suitable configuration of a pattern of an idealo ized or standardized fingerprint pattern.

There may also be indicated on the playing cards suitable indicia and" finger print configurations in classified form to assist the player in the course of the game. v 25 There may also be provided as shown in Figures 3 to 15 inclusive ofthe drawings a plurality of additional drawing cards. These drawing cards may also .be made of a material similar to that of the playing cards and are also preferably of 30 rectangular shape. These drawing cards are preferably smaller than the playing cards and are provided with various configurations of finger prints. They are used,in conjunction with the previously mentioned playing cards in a manner 35 that will hereinafter be more particularly described.

In finger print classification and identification it has been found that all finger prints are reproductions of the pattern or design formed by the 40 ridges on the inside of the first joint of a finger or thumb. The patterns are madeup of many fine lines which are called ridges and the spaces between the ridges are called furrows. When comparing. two patterns, absolute proof. of identity is established when certain peculiarities or characteristics of the ridges -are'the,same, for example a bifurcation (see plain arch), an abrupt ending of a ridge (see plain arch), ridge dots, '(see central pocket loop), and a short rod (see plain arch) etc. i

All finger print impressions are divided into the following nine patterns, named as follows:

1. Plain arch.

2 Tented arch.

3. Exceptional arch.

. Radial and ulnar loops. I Plain whorls. Central pocket loop.

. Lateral pocket loop.

Twinned loops.

. Accidental.

The nine patterns are subdivided into four basic types i. e. the arch type comprising the plain arch, tented arch and exceptional arch; the loop type comprising the radial and ulnar loops; the plain whorl type comprising oval spiral, double spiral, almond, S shaped types, etc.; the composite type, comprising central pocket loop, lateral pocket loop, twinned loop and accidental.

The formation and the number of the ridges between terminal or fixed points, named core and delta, composing any one of the patterns 4 to 9 may vary considerably, but the fundamental definition of the pattern will remain unchanged. This applies also as far as the formation is concerned, to the patterns 1, 2 and 3'. It is therefore of great importance that the student of fingerprint science should immediately recognize the patterns of the prints under examination.

Referring more particularly to Figure 1 of the drawings, l6, I1, l8, I9, 28, and 2| indicate the six left hand playing cards which are provided in their upper portions with the outline of an upturned hand having a thumb 22, index finger 23, middle finger 24, ring finger 25 and little finger 26. The tips of these fingers are provided with diiierent finger print configurations 21, 28, 29, 38, and 3|.

The upper corners of cards Hi to 2| are provided with the indicia 32 to signify the left hand.

The lower portions 33 of cards Hi to 2| are provided with nine spaces 34, 35, 38, 31, 38, 39. 40, 4| and 42 iii which spaces are illustrated the nine patterns into which all prints are classed. For example, space 34 shows a plain arch, 35 a. tented arch, 36 an exception arch, 31 radial and ulnar right hand loops, 38 plain whorls of the oval and spiral type, 39 a central pocket loop, 49 a lateral pocket loop, 4| a twinned loop and 42 an accidental.

Another space 43 is provided in the lower left hand corner of the cards having indicia cautioning the player as to the reversal of flow of the ridges of loops on the left hand.

In Figure-2; 44, 45, 48, 41, 48 ,and 49 indicate the six right hand playing cards having the thumb, index, middle, ring and little finger outlines 50 to 54 respectively. The fingers are provided with the finger print configurations 55, 58, 51, 58, and 59. The upper corners of cards 44 to 49 inclusive are provided with the R. H. (right hand)-indicia 60.

The lower portions of the cards 44 to 49 have the spaces 8| to 18 inclusive similar to the cards of Figure 1 in which are illustrated the nine patterns of fingerprints and caution indicia to assist the player in the performance of the game.

Figures 3 to 15 inclusive show one hundred drawing cards which are subdivided into the fundamental patterns approximately in the proportion in which they biologically occur, with the exception of the accidental pattern, central pocket loop, lateral loop, twinned loop and the three arch types comprising the plain arch, tented arch and exceptional arch.

It has been found, for example, that there is a marked preponderance of certain patterns of fingerprints which occur more frequently than other patterns. The laws of probability which determine the number of times one pattern may be expected to occur has been ascertained mathematically and the proportion of the cards of various patterns has been fixed accordingly.

Although in the present embodiment one hundred drawing cards are used, more or less than this number may be employed as long as the proportion of cards in each group of patterns remains the same.

Referring to Figure 3; H indicates a group of five drawing cards, each having the configuration thereon of a plain arch I2.

Figure 4 shows a group 13 of five cards, each having the configurations of tented arches" 14.

Figure 5 shows a group of 15 of five cards each having the configuration thereon of an "exceptional arch 16.

In Figure 6; ll indicates a group of eighteen cards, each card having the ulnar loops 18. The upper corner of the cards in this group are 1 zza'lovdided with the indicia R. H. signifying right In all loop patterns under pattern four as indicated in the spaces 31 and 84 on the playing cards in Figures 1 and 2 the loops are referred to as'either radial" or ulnar. If the fiow' of the ridges is toward the thumb or radius bone they are called radial loops. If the flow is toward the little finger or uln bone they are called ulnar loops.

It will be noted that the radial loops have the cores, or point of cores, at the end of a single ridge; whereas the cores of the ulnar loops are situated at the staple, namely, at the shoulder furtherest from the delta, or point of delta.

All the loops have closed deltas. Also all the whorls and composites in the game have closed deltas, wtih the exception of the outer delta of the central pocket loop where the delta is an open one and the point of delta is a ridge dot.

In Figure 7; 19 indicates a group of 2 cards, each card bearing the configuration of a radial loop 88. The upper corner of each card is provided with the indicia R. H. signifying right hand.

In Figure 8; 82 denotes a group of 6 cards, each card having on its face the configuration of a left hand radial loop 83. The upper portion of the cards bear the indicia L. H. signifying left-hand.

Figure 9 shows a group 85 of fourteen cards, each having the configuration thereon of a loop 85 of the left hand ulnar type; in other words, a loop in which the flow of ridges is toward the little finger or ulna bone. 'I'he'upper portion is also provided with the indicia L. H. signifying left hand.

Figure 10 shows a group 81 of eleven cards having the configuration thereon of a plain whorl 88 of the oval type.

Figure 11 shows a group 89 of eleven cards, each card having the configuration thereon of a plain whorl" 90 of the spiral type.

In Figure 12; 9| indicates a group of four cards having the configuration of a central pocket loop 92 thereon.

In Figure 13; 93 indicates a group of four cards, each card bearing the configuration thereon of a lateral pocket loop 94- right and left hands.

In Figure 14; It indicates a group of four cards twinned loop 88. p

' Figure 15 shows a group of eleven cards" each 4 bearing the configuration thereon of an"accidental designated by the numeral 98. The game is played as follows:

Any number of players from two to twelve may participate in the game. I

Before dealing the cards, the definitions of the nine fingerprint pattern types are read aloud before the game starts in order that no misunderstanding may arise as to the differentiations of the nine patterns. v

Theplayers are cautioned as to the flow of the ridges of the radial and ulnar loops on the As an added precaution the cards bearing radial and ulnar loops are marked as shown in Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 with the indicia R. H. and L. H. to signify the rightandleft hands.

The twelve playing cards IE to H inclusive in Figure 1 and 44 to 49 inclusive in Figure 2, are then shuflled in th usual manner as in the case of ordinary playing cards and dealt clockwise around to the players. The winner of a game may automatically become the dealer for the next game or. the deals may be carried out in the usual order.

The twelve playing cards are then dealt one at a time to each player. If there are twelve players, each player will get one card. If there are six players, each player will receive two cards and so forth, depending upon the number of participants. Also two players may play with one card each.

Each player then'places his playing card or cards face up before him.

Then the one hundred trated in Figures 3 to 15 elusive of the drawings are shuiiied by the dealer andthoroughly mixed. The drawing cards are then placed with their faces down on the table so that the finger print configuration not be visible to the players. The drawing cards may also be placed in abox orbag Starting with the dealer, each of the players then selects at random one of the drawing cards,

and compares it with the nine patterns illus'- trated in the key on the lower portions of the playing card or cards which are lying face up before him to determine the pattern of the finger print vhe has selected. He then examines the finger prints on the tips of the finger representations on the upper portion of his playing card or cards and if the one he has selected corresponds to any of the patterns represented there, he covers that particular linger tip with any marker well known in the art, crosses it out or covers it with the drawing card he has selected,

At the time he is covering the finger tip, he calls out the name of the pattern type he has covered.

For example, a player may draw one of the drawing cards 81 illustrated in Figure 10. This card has the configuration of a "plain whorl of the oval type 88, represented on its face. The player may have in front of him the playing card l6 (Figure 1). He then examines the lower portion 33 of this card and in thespaoe 38, represented a plain whorl" of the oval type which he has picked. He then examines the fingers on the upper portion of card l6 and onthe tip of the thumb 22 he finds the plain whorl 'of the oval type represented. He then covers the thumb the drawing card face up on the table beside his He then places it beside his playing card i8 accidental" pattern, whether or not he can place wing cards illus- 22 and print fl'withthe drawing card II or any other suitable marker, calling out meanwhile that he has a plain whorl of the oval type on the left hand and that he covers'the thumb on his card. Whatever the patterns on the drawing cards are. 5 they should be called aloud to familiarize the 7 players with the various patterns.

n the print on the drawing card the player has selected does not match. any print illustrated on the fingers of his playing card, he then places playing card stating this to the. player's.

For example, if a player picks one of the cards 9| (Figure 12) representing a central pocket loop 92, he examines the lower portion 33 of his playing card It where the nine patterns are represented. In the space 10 he pattern which corresponds to the print 92 illus trated on the card it which he has He then examines the finger tips on the upper portion of his card and the print 92 or "central pocket loop not being represented there he informs the players that he has a central pocket loop but that he does not have it on his card, or cards.

face up.

In the event that a player picks a drawing card having a pattern identical with a pattern on his card .or cards, but the pattern has-already been covered previously, the player then informs his partners accordingly. He then adds that card to the ones already lying face -up beside his playing card or cards.

If a player picks up a drawing card having an 35 or match it on his playing card or cards, he is.

rewarded by havingthe privilege of selecting a drawing card from any other player's discarded drawing cards that matches one of the patterns on his playing card or cards that have not been covered as yet. In case. there are none among the other players discards, he is entitled to another pick from the drawing cards lying face down on the table or from the box or bag.

Inasmuch as radial loops, accidentals, central v pocket loops, lateral pocket loops and twinned loops and the three arch types are not as nu, merous among the drawing cards as the rest of the patterns, it iswise to select one of these patterns, if the player has one of these pat- 50 terns on his playing card, provided it is not covered yet. The accidentals are very rare and occur very infrequently. However, eleven accidentals are provided to make the game more intemting.

The winner of the game is the player who first succeeds in matching or covering all his fingerprint patterns on his card or cards with the drawing cards. r I

I In .case the hundred drawing cards are all used before any one player has completely covered all the finger print patterns on his playing card, then the winner is the one who has covered the most of his fingerprint patterns on the fingers represented on his playing card or cards. v 65.

In the event two players have the same 11 ceive the drawing cards or markers. Also, the

fingers may be provided with hinged covers which may be turned down to cover the finger print patterns on the drawing card.

From the foregoing description of the rules of the game it will be seen that this game while absorbing the interest of the players serves abo to impart useful knowledge to them in the science of fingerprints.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used for the purposes of description and not of limitation, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claim.

Whatis claimed is:

A game, comprising in combination, a plurality of playing cards of a comparatively large size, each of said playing cards having a portion carrying substantially the outline of a human hand thereon, the fingers or said hand each carrying a fingerprint configuration; and another portion carrying a legendary key lnd-icia of various fingerprint pattern typesyand a plurality of drawing cards of a. comparatively small size corresponding to thesize of a fingerprint configuration on a playing card and adapted to cover the latter, each of said drawing card-s carrying a fingerprint co fi uration corresponding to a finl0 gerprint configuration carried by at least one of said playing cards.

ERNST REICHER'I'. 

